Meter case



I mmms Feb. 1,1927. B. F WEI-L5 v METER CASE Filed May 14-, 1926 2'5heets-Sheet 1 I Feb; 1', 1927. 1,616,098

B. F. WELLS METER CASE Filed May 14. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

STATES BENJAMIN F. 'WELLfS, OF HANDLEY. TEXAS.

METER CASE.

Application filed May 14.

This invention relates to a meter case for containing gas or water meters and particularly to the type known as curb meters, which is so constructed that access thereto for the purpose of reading the meter can be readiiy obtained by authorized persons but will be locked against interference from unauthorized parties. it also includes a lid or cover for the case which is locked in position by separate locking means but which can be removed whenever it is necessary to obtain access to the meter for the purposes ofremoving or repairing the same.

This meter case is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction but is extremely efiicient in operation and will prevent damage to the meter enclosed therein from any ordinary cause.

The detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the meter case with part in section. 2

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a key for unlocking the different locks.

Figure 1 is a section on line 1 1 of Figure 2. p 1

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the looking case detached.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the locking elements detached.

The meter case comprises a body A provided with inlet pipe B and outlet pipe C which are connected to the meter which is carried within the case in any desired manner. This case is provided with a lid or cover 1 which has reintmcing ribs 2 on its under surface. The upper edge of the case A is provided with a rib 3 extending substantially tl'ierearound and the lid 1 has a groove 1 adapted to fit over said rib when the cover is in place, as shown in Figures 1 and extending about a portion of the periphery, a projecting flange 5 adapted to fit under an internal flange on the case A, as shown in Figure 1.

The lid or cover 1 is provided with an opening 6 of any suitable size and shape, around which is a groove 7, thus forming a rib 8 adjacent the opening 6. A cover 9 for this opening 6 has on its under face a groove 10 adapted to register with the rib 8 as The lid also has on its under side 1926. Serial No. 109,181.

shown in Figure t. The cover 9 also has integral or rigid therewith a stud 11 which extends through an opening 12 in the cover 1. A spring .13 is coiled about the stud 11 about the underside of the lid 1 and bears at one end against a washer 13, soldered or otherwise fastened as by riveting to the stud 1.1 and at its other end against another washer 1 1. This spring is adapted to hold the cover 9 in its closed position.

When the meter is in position the dials thereOfwill lie directly under the opening 6 and the cover 9 is lifted and swung to one side when it is desired to read the meter.

In order to prevent unauthorized access to the meter, means is provided for locking this cover in closed position. At one side of the groove 7 there is provided a cut-out 15 in which fits a locking member 16 having a stud 17 which extends through an opening 18 in the lid 1. A coil spring 19 is retained between the underside of the lid 1 and a washer 20 which is riveted or otherwise fastened to the stud 17. This locking member 16 has a part 21 which projects at one side in position to overlap a ledge 22 on the lid 9 when it is in closed position. The locking member also has a non-circular opening 21 in its top adapted to be engaged by a suitable key. W'hen it is desired to read the meter the key is inserted in the opening 21 and the locking member 16 turned to one side so that the extension 21 thereof disengages the ledge or rib 22 leaving the cover 9 free to be lifted and swung to one side. After the meter is read the operations are reversed and the lid is again locked in place.

It is also desirable to provide means for locking the lid or cover when in closed position on the meter case A. This isattaiued in the following manner: The locking case 23 shown in perspective in Figure 6 has studs 24- and 25 which pass upward through registering openings in the lid 1 and are riveted thereto as indicated at Figure 2.

The lid 1 is provided with a key hole slot 26 immediately overlying this locking casing. The bottom of the lock casing has a raised hub 27 upon which is mounted for rotation a locking member shown at 28 in Figure 7 and having a lip 29 extending at one side which is adapted when in locked position to underlie an extension 36 of the casing A as shown in Figure 5. The locking member 28 also has a key hole slot 30 for a key. which slot normally registers with the slot iii) 26 in the lid 1. A spring 31 is coiled about the hub 27 within the locking member 28 and has one end fast to said locking member and the other end to the lock casing 23. This spring tends to turn the member 28 to looking position shown in Figure 5.

A cover plate 32 is provided for the key hole slot 26 and this plate has a stud 33 which passes through an opening in the lid 1 about which stud is coiled a spring 34 which bears at its lower end against a washer 35 riveted or otherwise fastened to the stud 33. This cover plate can readily be raised and swung to one side when it is desired to unlock the lid 1 and remove the same from the casing A.

There is shown in Figure 8 a key 37 having a portion 38 adapted to pass through the key hole slot 26 and enter the similar slot 30 in the locking member 28 after which a turn of the key will move said locking member. This key is also provided with a non-circular portion 39 adapted to fit'in the cut-out 21 in the locking member 16 which holds the cover plate 9 in place. This key may also have a screw driver portion 40 which may be used for arious purposes.

The meter casing A, after the pipes B and C have been connected thereto, may be set in place in the side walk or other fiooring and held firmly in such position by pouring concrete therearound or in other man ner. Normally there will be no necessity for removing the cover 1 from the casing but the meter will be ready by unlocking the cover 9 for the peep hole 6 and reading the meter in this fashion. However, if at any time it is desired to remove the cover for the purpose ot obtaining access to the meter, the

locking member 28 would be turned to unlocked position by means of the key 87 and the entire cover 1 be readily removed. It is obvious that the invention provldes a simple and efficient means which can be readily constructed and assembled and which will not easily become disarranged. It will protect the meter thoroughly from all external influences and from unauthorized interference but at the same time permit the meter reader to read the meter enclosed in the case with great ease and rapidity. It is obvious that various details of the precise construction may be modified widely Without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore understood that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A meter casing comprising a body portion adapted to contain the meter and having openings for inlet and outlet pipes, a cover for said body portion, locking means for holding said cover in position, spring means for moving said locking means to operative position, a peep hole in said cover, a closure for said peep hole. spring means normally holding said closure shut, and an independent means for locking the closure in this position.

2. A meter casing comprising a body portion adapted to contain the meter and having openings for inl-et and outlet pipes, a cover for said body portion having tongue and groove engagement therewith, a lock casing carried on the under side of said cover, a pivoted spring pressed locking d-etent carried thereby and adapted to hold the cover in place, a peep hole in said cover, a closure therefor having tongue and groove engagement therewith, and an independent means for locking the closure in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

BENJ. F. TELLS. 

